Every Child Can! is a one day introductory course on the Suzuki philosophy and its application to education. For parents, teachers, prospective teachers and others, this course provides an inspiring, in-depth look at the Suzuki approach to teaching and learning. For teachers, ECC serves as the first course in the Suzuki Association of the Americas Teacher Development Program.

Audience

ECC! is required for all new Suzuki teachers, but open to non-teachers, prospective teachers, parents, administrators and all others interested in learning about Suzuki approach to education. It is not instrument-specific. Experienced Suzuki teachers are also encouraged to participate for renewed inspiration and review.

Class Size

Maximum number of participants per class is 30.

Qualifications to Participate

High school graduation completed or within 6 months of graduation, plus age 17 or older. There are no instrument proficiency requirements and no audition is required. There is no auditor status for this course.

Fee: $30. The fee suggested by the SAA is $95. However, because Island Strings is dedicated to promoting the Suzuki philosophy and excellent music education in our community, we are underwriting the cost of this workshop. If you would like to make an additional contribution to Island Strings, we would be most grateful.

Registration

Registration is on a first-come basis and will close Tuesday, September 9. Please register as soon as possible by emailing the following information to donandsue.turner@ttu.edu: name, mailing address, email address, phone number. You may pay with cash or check (made payable to Island Strings) when you arrive.

*Dr. Susan Baer is a free-lance violinist and violin teacher who currently divides her time between Lubbock, Texas, and Whidbey Island, Washington. Susan is in high demand as a Suzuki clinician throughout the world, and is a registered Suzuki Association of the Americas violin teacher trainer. In her forty years of experience with the Suzuki method, Susan has run a thriving private studio, co-founded a Suzuki school, organized workshops, taught in a long-term teacher training program, served as area coordinator for four SAA conferences, and served on the Board of Directors of her local foundation. She publishes frequently in the SAA journal, and currently serves on the SAA Board of Directors. Dr. Baer holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree, a Master of Music degree in violin performance, and a Ph.D. in Fine Arts.

ISLAND STRINGS SUMMER DAY CAMP SCHOLARSHIP — Scholarships are available for pre-twinkle camp $50.00 (with a $15 payment for registration fees) and full camp $100.00 (with a $25 payment for registration fees). Scholarships will be awarded to families with genuine financial need plus musical motivation. Applicants should live on Whidbey Island and must have a current $25.00 Island Strings Activity fee card. Here’s the application (It will open in a new window.)

ISLAND STRINGS START-UP KIT SCHOLARSHIP — Start-Up kits are scholarships for getting new students one month of lessons and instrument rental at reduced rates. A typical month of lessons and instrument rental average about $125.00. Start-Up kit scholarships range between $50.00 and $100.00 depending on genuine financial need plus musical motivation. Applicants should live on Whidbey Island and if awarded, will be required to pay a $25.00 annual Island Strings Activity fee. Here is the application. The application will open in a new window.

This year’s summer camp features the music of Pete Seeger, along with American folk music in general. We’re looking forward to a great time at the music camp

Great news! Former Islands Strings student Kalob Tatum will start school in the fall at Manhattan School of Music, seeking a BA in Classical Violin Performance. Kalob had also been accepted at the Aaron Copland School of Music at the City University of New York. Congratulations, Kalob, after all your hard work and diligence!

Creating a ‘Good’ Story—Part 2: Linda

As a little girl, Linda Good would come from Seattle to visit family on Whidbey Island and
would play for hours on the beaches and in the forests, letting her imagination
run with her. She and her two brothers pretended an old,… Read on